79 Fire Volunteers

05/08/2026

This week, the Hanover Area Volunteer Fire & Rescue dive team held check-out dives for three new divers who are working towards obtaining their Public Safety Diver certifications.

Our volunteer dive team is a specialized and unique regional asset that provides underwater search, rescue, and recovery services in all seasons and weather conditions.

We are grateful for the support of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Codorus State Park and the South Western School District, who have provided venues for team training over the years.

The team operates SCUBA 79, a former 1990 E-One/Ford Hanover Fire Department air unit stationed at our Clover Lane firehouse that now carries all of the equipment our dive team needs for extended responses.

Interested in joining our dive team? All training provided free of cost. Learn more or apply online today on our website:
https://79firevolunteers.com/join-havfr/membership-opportunities

04/03/2026

Strong work by the volunteer and career personnel who teamed up to overhaul our technical rope rescue equipment.

Preparation rarely gets the attention it deserves…but it always shows when it matters most.

Job well done.

03/17/2026

We remember you. Your decades of unwavering service, commitment, dedication, honor and sacrifice were hallmarks of your service to others.
We remember you…

This past Thursday, 3/12/2026 marked a decade since we lost Earl Shoemaker in a line of duty death while he was responding to a structure fire in our air unit.

03/12/2026

Hard to believe it has been 10 years since we lost Earl. He is missed greatly and often talked about for the service he gave and his awesome personality.

March 12, 2016 - LODD
Firefighter Earl J. Shoemaker, 68
Hanover Fire Department. Hanover, PA
Firefighter Shoemaker was responding to the scene of a house fire on the 500 block of Pumping Station Road when he became ill. The mobile air unit apparatus he was operating left the roadway (Brunswick DR) and came to a stop several hundred feet away. Shoemaker, alone in the apparatus at the time, was rescued by local residents and fellow first responders. He was then transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased from a cardiac related injury.

01/06/2026

HAVFR President Jeff Spielman presents a $2,000 check to HAVFR Treasurer Maynard Becker from the Rice Family Foundation. The volunteer organization was recognized recently by the foundation for their focus on education, health and well being of people in the greater Hanover area and beyond for 2025.

12/11/2025

Santa will be visiting Penn Twp THIS WEEKEND! Check the pictures for rough expected times and the streets we will be visiting.

12/02/2025

Let us introduce to you Kasi Thomas from Campbell’s of Hanover. We had the pleasure of being part of their “ Days of Giving/ Care Fair” recently held at the Hanover facility. We were 1 of the many non for profit volunteer organizations invited to participate and present our volunteer opportunities to employees. We met a number of nice folks during the event. Kasi was the winner of our free Home Safety raffle and selected a first aid kit. Thank you Campells for the opportunity to be a part of this employee event! Congratulations Kasi and thank you Helen Weaver ( HAVFR member) for allowing us to spend the morning at Campbells!

12/01/2025

09/13/2025

Our team has been here since 05:30 this morning prepping for our Chicken BBQ. Starting at 11am, $13 per meal gets you a half a BBQ chicken, baked potato, apple sauce, dinner roll and plasticware.

204 Clover Lane Hanover, PA. We’re at the fire department. We will have a drive through setup with fire police directing. All proceeds benefit Hanover Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue.